Chinese qualifier Shi Han continued a remarkable home run at the Wuhan Open on Monday night, overturning a one-set deficit to beat No. 19 seed Alexandra Eala 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in two hours and 27 minutes. The World No. 217 had arrived in Wuhan without a win over a Top 100 opponent, but has now collected three in a matter of days.
A breakthrough under the lights in Wuhan
Shi’s victory over Eala was the biggest of her career by ranking, delivering her first win against a Top 20 player and sending the Chinese player into the second round of the WTA 1000 main draw.
After Eala claimed the opening set, Shi settled into longer exchanges and turned the match through persistence from the baseline. She won the next two sets 6-3, 6-3 to complete an upset that carried extra significance on home courts.
- Result: Shi Han def. Alexandra Eala, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
- Match duration: 2 hours, 27 minutes.
- Shi’s ranking: World No. 217.
- Eala’s ranking: World No. 19.
- Milestone: Shi’s first victory over a Top 20 opponent.
“I’m really excited because my opponent is ranked No. 19,” Shi said after the match. “I think I played very well today, and it was a very good match from both of us. I’m so happy to win.”
Qualifier builds momentum on home soil
Shi had already fought through two demanding qualifying matches before making her impact in the main draw. She recovered from a set down against Peyton Stearns in her opening qualifying match, then defeated the in-form Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets to earn her place in the Wuhan field.
Her path through the tournament so far has included three victories over Top 100 opposition, a sharp change from her record before the event.
- She came from behind to defeat Peyton Stearns in the first qualifying round.
- She beat Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets to reach the main draw.
- She then upset Eala for her third Top 100 win of the Wuhan fortnight.
The run follows another encouraging performance in China two weeks earlier, when Shi took eventual Beijing champion Zheng Qinwen to three sets in the opening round.
Patience pays off for Shi
Shi said her approach against Eala was based on discipline and relentless court coverage rather than trying to force the contest.
“I tried to stay patient and play my best tennis,” she said. “I gave everything on the court and tried to chase down every ball.”
The Eala win was only Shi’s third WTA Tour main-draw victory. It was also her first such success since Hong Kong in 2024, as well as her maiden main-draw win at WTA 1000 level.
Having entered the draw through qualifying, Shi now moves into the second round in Wuhan with the most significant ranking win of her career behind her.
